The 'E' Type Forum

Hi All ,
I’m just in the process of stripping my engine bay for paint but cannot get the heater control valve to move, the spacer it’s on spins round the pipe and the pipe moves in the bulk head but I can’t even twist the heater control valve, have I missed something or is it just seized on from old age?

Thank you in advance as always

Grant
S2 lhd ots

Hi , I’ve just managed to find some more on here having the same problem, so it seems like it’s just brute force and ignorance. Unless anyone has found a way a better way of freeing it off .

Thanks

Grant

The valve seals onto the pipe with a rubber seal which is compressed between the valve and the spacer.

Yours has probably just fossilised. Enough rotation force should break it but you want to be careful you don't snap off the pipe.

A bit of judicious heat might help.

Hi Andrew

Yes, I’m
Going to try a few kettles of boiling water on it
Tomorrow,
I will let you know how I get on ,

Thank you

I was thinking more of propane or oxy acetylene. But maybe that's just me...

Or heater gun.
Beware to not twested the iron pipe.
I don't think 100° is enought to remove it

Morning Andrew and Mich ,

I was just a little nervous of using a flame that close to the bulk head , I will have a go today and let you know how I get on ,

thank you

Grant

No flame with an electric heat gun

Hi Mich

Yes that’s a good idea thank youn

Hi Grant

Assuming the heater valve is to be replaced, judicious use of a junior hacksaw to split the body of the valve may be worth a try if you can get in there. You need to be careful not to nick the pipe though.

Hi Grant,
I faced the same issue and a ‘little’ brute force of a flat head screwdriver between spacer and the valve freed mine. I think turing the valve body itself helped too.
I think a build up of calc and the rubber olive welding itself to the tube is the cause of the reluctance.
Hope is goes well!
Cheers,
Rich

Hi Guys

Thank you for your replies, at this stage I’ve decided to leave it ,I do not want to open another can of worms at the moment, but I will let you know how I get on when I come back to it ,

Thank you all for your replies

Grant